The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has issued a notification on End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Management, aimed at promoting environmentally responsible disposal and recycling of vehicles.
- The rules, which will come into effect from April 2025, outline the responsibilities of vehicle manufacturers and other stakeholders in managing end-of-life vehicles.
Key Highlights of the Notification:
- Responsibilities of Vehicle Manufacturers:
- Manufacturers must establish necessary arrangements to accept ELVs at designated collection centers or sales outlets.
- A list of these centers must be published conspicuously on the company’s website and at sales and service outlets.
- Vehicle producers are required to recycle or declare scrappage steel equivalent to 8% of the vehicles sold 20 years prior.
- Companies must obtain certification under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, ensuring the recycling process is environmentally sound.
- Scope and Applicability:
- The rules cover all vehicle types as defined under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, including electric vehicles, battery-operated vehicles, e-rickshaws, and e-carts.
- However, agricultural tractors, trailers, combine harvesters, and power tillers are excluded, raising concerns as these are primarily diesel-powered equipment.
- Exemptions:
- Waste batteries (regulated under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022).
- Plastic packaging (covered under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016).
- Waste tyres, used oil, and hazardous wastes (under the Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules, 2016).
- E-waste (covered under the E-Waste Management Rules, 2022).
Key Observations:
- Significance: The notification marks a step forward in India’s efforts to formalize the recycling of ELVs, reduce waste, and promote sustainable practices in the automotive sector.
- Concerns: The exclusion of agricultural machinery, which relies heavily on diesel engines, is viewed as a critical oversight given their significant environmental impact.
(Source: BL)
